Virtual office visits are picking up in popularity. For a virtual office visit to work, there have to be doctors who are willing to conduct the visits. If you are a doctor, taking on virtual office visits will allow you to connect with more patients and allow you to expand your medical practice in new directions.
Conducting a virtual office visit will require you to become comfortable with this new office format. Virtual office visits are a little different than in-person visits. Here are a few tips to master the art of conducting virtual office visits.
Start by Addressing the Patient by Name
When it comes to starting your visit, you want to address the patient you are talking with by their name. A virtual office visit can feel a little impersonal, and addressing the patient by their name can help make the process feel a little more personal. Saying the patient's name will help establish rapport with the patient and make them feel more comfortable. You want the patient to feel comfortable because you need the patient to convey their medical information to you, and a level of comfort can help with that process.
Take the Time to Introduce Yourself
Next, you want to take the time to introduce yourself to the patient. Tell the patient your name and title, and spend a second introducing yourself. You want the patient to feel like they are dealing directly with a doctor and not with another cog in the machine.
Listen to the Patient
After you have addressed the patient and introduced yourself, it is time to listen to the patient's concern. During a virtual office visit, where you can see the patient through the video screen but can't touch and interact with them in person, it is important for you to really listen to the patient's concerns. The patient needs to let you know what they are concerned about.
Don't cut your patient off before they are fully able to share their health concerns. You are relying on the patient to convey important health information to you. Listen to what the patient has to say. If they tell you a story, listen to it and see what you can learn from their story.
Validate the Patient
Finally, you need to validate the patient's concerns. Let them know that you understand their concern and that you are there to help them. If the patient gave you a self-diagnosis that you can tell is wrong, you can still validate their concerns.
When it comes to conducting a virtual office visit, start by addressing the patient by name and really listening to what the patient has to say. Be sure to validate the patient. You want to make the patient feel comfortable. Embracing these tips will help you feel more comfortable and experience more success with your virtual office visits.
To learn more, contact a virtual health care software provider.